The Cheesecake Factory is a horrible place to eat unless you're going specifically for their cheesecake, which is great. Otherwise it's just enormous portions of really mediocre food. Just like pretty much other chain restaurant of the same caliber.

I don't get the appeal of Outback Steakhouse. I was in one only once, despite it being two miles from my house. Ridiculously small portions (and lots of things were "extra") and the food wasn't anything that I couldn't get at "Applebee's". Everyone and their grandmother has the "Bloomin' Onion" things now. I much prefer Texas Roadhouse....hell of a lot cheaper and tastier, although noisy as hell.

Ted's Montana Grill is pretty good, although they aren't everywhere and their menu is fairly basic.

Outback Steakhouse? Are you freaking kidding me? The one time I went I was struck by how leathery tough the steaks were and how unexceptional the rest of the food was. If you want to go and have a nice slab of dead cow, go seek out a Firebirds.

They list Five Guys and In and Out, but I'd go further and also add regional staples like Steak N Shake, and Culvers to that same list. All of them are great places for a chain burger while on the road.

Having tried a cheeseburger at In-N-Out Burger in Vegas this summer, I have to say I don't know why people go so nutty over their stuff. Yes, it was fine, but not exactly the pinnacle hamburger experience that some make it out to be.